Graphic Design Contract Breakdown

What a good one includes

• A clear map of intellectual property ownership, specifying whether the client receives a full copyright transfer or a limited usage license.
• A breakdown of the payment schedule, including deposit requirements, milestone billing, and late fee penalties.
• Explicit definitions of the project scope, detailing the exact number of included design revisions and the hourly rate for extra work.
• A specific clause clarifying whether the client is purchasing the final flat deliverables or the raw, editable source files.
• A termination clause that outlines a "kill fee" to compensate you for work completed if the project is canceled mid-way.
• An explicit reservation of your right to display the completed work in your portfolio and self-promotional materials.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming "work-for-hire" is standard without realizing it strips away your copyright and ownership of all draft concepts.
• Failing to define a limit on revisions, which inevitably leads to infinite design iterations and unpaid labor.
• Handing over editable native files like PSDs or vectors without charging an additional file-release fee.
• Neglecting to include a formal kill-fee clause, leaving you empty-handed if a client abruptly cancels the project.

Frequently asked questions